WNBA Playoffs: Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve allegedly ‘attacked’ Sun players during post-game celebration

The Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx played Game 3 of their WNBA semifinal series on Friday. Apparently there was extra tension behind the scenes.

While the two teams played, Ben Pickman and Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve confronted Sun players near the locker room on Sunday after Connecticut’s win in Game 1. Reeve, a four-time WNBA champion and coach of the Year, reportedly had a problem with the way the Sun celebrated their win.

One person reportedly said that Reeve “attacked” the Sun players and that Target Center security had to be involved to defuse the situation.

If there was anything that specifically confused Reeve, it’s hard to find it in an on-field replay. After Napheesa Collier’s attempt at a tying 3-point buzzer-beater rang off the backboard, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas both let out victory shouts, but they weren’t directed at any Lynx players in particular.

The team then came together as Reeve shook hands with Sun coach Stephanie White and walked to the tunnel, near the Sun huddle. Of course, not everything is caught on camera, especially off the field.

The reported confrontation could be what made Game 2 so choppy. In a heated and physical game, the Lynx won Game 2 with a strong defensive effort. It was their first home win against the Sun in eight games.

Reeve is by far the longest-tenured coach in the WNBA. Following Reeve’s appointment in 2009, Seattle Storm’s next coach is Noelle, who was hired in May 2021. Reeve possesses a significant amount of influence in the emerging league, recently coaching the U.S. National Team to gold medals at both the Olympics and the Olympics. and FIBA ​​World Cup.

Thomas played on both teams.

While more eyes might be on the semifinal series featuring a WNBA Finals rematch between defending champion Las Vegas Aces and WNBA-best New York Liberty, the Sun-Lynx series is nothing close to a dud. The two teams ranked first and second in the WNBA in defensive rating during the regular season and feature plenty of veteran talent like Collier, Thomas and Bonner.

Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Connecticut, with time to be determined.